“God testified concerning [David]: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want

him to do’” (Acts 13:22).

    Most of you reading this would say, “I have a heart for God.”

    But what does that really mean? Often, it means: “I’m devoted—but safely so. I won’t let myself get too extreme. I’ll stay at a comfortable distance. God is the object of my affection, but I maintain control.”

    Some people are “too weird,” “too extreme,” or uncomposed in spiritual matters. I won’t be like them. And yet… I do have a heart for God. I believe in Jesus. I confessed Him as my Lord. I’m a worshipper… or so I think.

    Here’s the problem: God has always struggled with people like this. They speak the right words. They convince themselves they are true worshippers. But God says their hearts are far from Him. They steward their hearts in such a way that keeps God at a safe, measured distance.

    The answer is yes. You can know. There is a way to examine your heart.

    Can you know where your heart really is? Can you measure it? Map the space between yourself and God? If it’s up to you, you’ll always believe your heart is seeking Him.

    Three men caught God’s heart, and their hearts were transformed. Their lives were consumed by a tangible, physical thing on earth—a real expression of their devotion. That is how you can know. It is not some vague, mysterious confession; it is an actual thing upon which our love and devotion can be expressed.

    • David called it the House of God.

    • Paul called it the Church.

    • John called it the brothers.

     John said it plainly: “How can you love God whom you haven’t seen if you don’t love the brothers you do see?”

    You can claim love for God, but real love for Him is visible. It is expressed in love for His people.

    Paul declared that everything happening to him was for the Church. He gave his life for the Church. He suffered for the Church. He went to jail for the Church. He fought the beast of

Ephesus for the Church.

    And David? He caught the heart of God and was overcome with a single, consuming passion: building the House of the Lord—the Church. This is the hallmark of one pursuing God’s own

heart. It isn’t safe. It isn’t measured. It isn’t comfortable. It is wild, costly, and changes everything.

    People who try to manage their affections for God will never know this passion. They keep their love safe, controlled, and measured. But if you pursue God’s own heart—and you catch

it—your life will never be the same. It will wreck you in the best possible way.

    And how do you know you have caught the heart of God? You love the Church.

    You can claim to love God, but if you really

do, you will love the brothers. If you are chasing the Lord, you will chase the Church. If you want to live with God, you will live with the Church. If you want to go to heaven, you will go to Church.

If you want to love and serve Jesus, you will love and serve the brothers.